Mission: Berlin Review

If cloak and dagger escapades are your thing, Mission: Berlin just might be an option.

For inspiration, one need not too much further than the upcoming Warner Brothers flick Man from U.N.C.L.E. which is due out soon; the movie itself is based on the iconic TV series from the ’60s.

The game starts quietly, almost surreptitiously; one gets to pick from two agents from rival agencies with different character traits and backgrounds. After selecting the preferred character, one gets right into the game proper.

The first “mission” serves as a tutorial of sorts, leading players through the virtual controls and giving an idea of how the action unfolds. The perspective is an adjustable third person, and the dual controls manage swinging the protagonist view, as well as movement and attack. Movement involves being able to run, crouch and walk.

The game, as hinted at, is mission-based, and the content is decidedly Cold War-ish: taking out targets, collecting information, dead drops and such. Different tasks require different skills, and the game even hints at when stealth might be good to use.

And yes, there are enemy folks, and these do not seem to be reluctant about shooting when spooked. One can select weapons to use, or use hands in a melee-style approach when possible; the idea is to finish quickly and efficiently and move on.

If a mission is completed successfully, the player gets points based on criteria like use of weapons, time used and enemies defeated. Skill points are also awarded, and these can be used to improve the agent’s skills. If a misson is not completed, one gets to restart from a checkpoint.

It comes together nicely, if a bit haphazardly; the graphics are expressive, but there are some visual aspects that feel like they could be a bit sharper; sometimes objects pop up right n front. Literally. The car sequences are a glorious touch, but I do feel the steering mechanism could be a bit tighter. It allows for a degree of choice with regards to allowing the player to figure out how to complete a mission, but doesn’t allow for too much rope which could cause confusion.

Put together, it is hard to dislike. Espionage is almost always in, and the action sequences make this one right at home.